The new film focuses on the 'Bowen' family who move into a new home, before things go awry and their daughter 'Madeleine' goes missing. The Bowens then call in a paranormal investigation team led by parapsychologist 'Dr. Brooke Powell'.

The original film, directed by Tobe Hooper and co-written/produced by Steven Spielberg, was set in a California suburb, focusing on a family whose home is invaded by malevolent ghosts that abduct the family's youngest daughter.